Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower (Video)

As a landmark in Shanghai, Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower is the place you definitely won’t miss if you visit Shanghai. Here is my experience visiting the tower in the evening, including information on the direction, ticket types and what is in the top sphere (Space Module). Scroll down to watch the video.

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower was completed in 1994, at the height of 468m, it is the fifth tallest building in China (till 2015).

The TV tower is located at Pudong district by side of Huangpu River. Shanghai Pudong district is a newly developed area, which has many modern buildings.

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower is just opposite The Bund, from where you can have a wonderful view of the tower and other buildings in Pudong area.

How to Get There

Before visiting the tower, I was at Nanjing Road, the famous shopping street in Shanghai. From the subway Line 2 Nanjing Road station, it takes less than 10 minutes walk to reach The Bund.

The road sign is very clear once you get out of the subway station. It shows the Bund is about 500m away.

If take subway Line 2 from Nanjing Road to Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower, just get off at Lujiazui station (only one stop), get out at Exit 1, you will see the TV tower. The night view of the tower is really nice, as it looks more colorful comparing to the day time.

To reach the tower, you need cross the road, or take an elevator up to the crossing bridge. I didn't realize how amazing the view of the nearby skyscrapers was until I edited this picture:)

Tickets Type

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower has three large spheres, the highest (known as the Space Module) is at 350m high.

There are two types of ticket you can buy, one is for two spheres CNY160; another is for three spheres cost CNY220.

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower top sphere (Space Module)

I guess everyone likes to go to the top sphere, which was I did. But what happened in the Space Module?

You
need to be patient, because you will wait, wait and wait much longer
than those who only visit two spheres. At least give yourself about two
hours waiting time, if you are planning your travelling schedule.

I
went there in the evening, about 8:30pm, which was not busy as day time. But I waited for about one hour just to reach the elevator. Then I
waited for another one hour to get to the top sphere. So it was about
two hours standing in a queue. If you are coming with children, better
prepare something to kill the waiting time.

The reason for
this is because the elevator to the top sphere is strictly controlled by
maximum 10 people each time. I guess they may need to control how many
visitors on the top sphere too.

Wait for the elevator in the lobby.

There are shops and dining places here.

The first elevator will take you to the middle level. Then you wait for another elevator to take you to the top sphere. Before get up to the top sphere, you will need to take a soft cover for your shoes.

The space in the top sphere is limited. They arrange the inside looks like in the space.

This the view of the Bund from the top sphere!

The view of the big buildings nearby.

Once finished the top sphere, you can get back to the second sphere. The most fun part is the glass observation deck, definitely fun and thrilling!

Well, that’s it what I had in Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower. I think it
is definitely worth to visit. But depending on your time, you may need
to consider whether go to the top sphere. I personally find the best
part is the glass observation deck, which means two spheres are enough
for me.

I have put the video clips here to show you what is like at observation desk, which is also posted in my Youtube Channel.

Hope you will have a nice trip there. You may also check my other posts from Shanghai travel guide. If you like this post for Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower, please hope to share with others:)